Bryan Skaggs climbs out of a smoking car after getting into the top three in the second heat of the demolition derby Saturday at the Ross County Fair. / Heather Cory, Gazette

Written by

JOEY CHANDLER

Gazette Sports Writer

Saturday night's heavy downpour did nothing to dampen the spirits of the fans and drivers in attendance of the demolition derby at the Ross County Fairgrounds.

Fans were soaking wet, and those close enough to the heats competing were covered with the mud flying into the stands.

Nobody left and nobody got upset. Instead, spectators continued to cheer on the drivers during one of the most popular events held at the grandstands during fair week.

Year in and year out -- rain or shine -- people flock to the demo derby, and the bottom line is, whether they're competing or watching, they are out there having fun.

That's the exact reason Todd Johnson, of Chillicothe, has been competing at the Ross County Fair demolition derby for 29 years. Johnson first competed when he was 15 years old, and Saturday he advanced from the first heat to the feature.

"I do it for the fun of it. I don't drive it to win it. I'm here for the fun of it," Johnson said. "A lot of these guys are serious about the sport but I'm not. I enjoy doing it."

When Johnson's wife went to pick up his trophy, he told her to have them make out his check to the American Cancer Society in support of her mother's battle with cancer. For him, it's not about the money or the hardware, just the love of the sport.

"I'm here to enjoy myself and put on a show for the people," Johnson said. "If I make it to the feature that's a bonus, but I don't have to."

As far as strategies are concerned, Johnson doesn't have one, and this wasn't his first derby in subpar weather. He once competed at the Pike County Fair while tornado sirens were going off.

For Jason Yates, of Londonderry, the derby is a family affair. Yates' uncle has been competing for 25 years, and six years ago his nephew joined him.

"It's just in my blood now. It's an adrenaline rush," Yates said.

Yates finished first in the derby at the Vinton County Fair, and he said the weather made for some sloppy conditions Saturday.

"It's very hard to get traction. You slide around a lot," Yates said.

Yates said he just hopes he's able to find the guy behind him before he has a chance to make his move.

"I usually just try to stay square with the track and not get sideways," Yates said.

Difficult conditions or not, every driver had to deal with the slop Saturday. But the weather, to most, was just an afterthought.

"It's fun anytime you can pay $25 and wreck a car all you want and just ruin it," Johnson said.

Full results of the derby were not available as of the Gazette's press time.